Thoughts on the 3GS
Just about everyone I know in the past few weeks has asked me if I'm going to upgrade to the iPhone 3GS. The answer is short, and simple - No.
The 3GS has the makings to be a fantastic device. Some might argue it's the first iPhone that can shut up its critics. The pundits will probably find a way to harp on the non-removable battery and lack of support for flash cards, but my 16GB 3G averages around 5GB free, and I can count on one hand the number of people who I've known who carried a second battery, regardless of the phone manufacturer.
If you've got a 3G, is it worth forking out another 3 bills for an upgrade, knowing there's going to be an even faster iPhone in around 12 months? I'm probably one of those weird edge cases - a gadget freak who avoids using his cell phone. My beloved 3G is an insanely handy device. Having used more than a few WinMo phones in my life, I can live with what is now, by 3GS standards, a sluggish phone.
My 3G is more of a substitute for a missing computer than a do-everything mobile device. Unlike many of my peers, I'm not a prolific tweeter, texter or mailer. To them, their phone is their primary electronic communications device.
In all my years of WinMo phones, there was always something that really made you want to upgrade a phone a year later. Mostly because it was a pain to get firmware upgrades that would stabilize the phone, or to get features that made the phone easier to use. The iPhone isn't like that. Free OS upgrades are regular and free. The 3.0 upgrade offers many of the features of the 3GS, and that goes a long way in eliminating buyer's remorse.
With the 3G being better than most other smartphones on the market, I don't think people should be swarming to get on the upgrade bandwagon just for the sake of upgrading. Remember, there's going to be an even faster, more capable phone next year.
The 3GS has the makings to be a fantastic device. Some might argue it's the first iPhone that can shut up its critics. The pundits will probably find a way to harp on the non-removable battery and lack of support for flash cards, but my 16GB 3G averages around 5GB free, and I can count on one hand the number of people who I've known who carried a second battery, regardless of the phone manufacturer.
If you've got a 3G, is it worth forking out another 3 bills for an upgrade, knowing there's going to be an even faster iPhone in around 12 months? I'm probably one of those weird edge cases - a gadget freak who avoids using his cell phone. My beloved 3G is an insanely handy device. Having used more than a few WinMo phones in my life, I can live with what is now, by 3GS standards, a sluggish phone.
My 3G is more of a substitute for a missing computer than a do-everything mobile device. Unlike many of my peers, I'm not a prolific tweeter, texter or mailer. To them, their phone is their primary electronic communications device.
In all my years of WinMo phones, there was always something that really made you want to upgrade a phone a year later. Mostly because it was a pain to get firmware upgrades that would stabilize the phone, or to get features that made the phone easier to use. The iPhone isn't like that. Free OS upgrades are regular and free. The 3.0 upgrade offers many of the features of the 3GS, and that goes a long way in eliminating buyer's remorse.
With the 3G being better than most other smartphones on the market, I don't think people should be swarming to get on the upgrade bandwagon just for the sake of upgrading. Remember, there's going to be an even faster, more capable phone next year.
Labels: iphone
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